Tuesday, July 07, 2015

Tuesday-8am

Good Morning!  This is a shot from my garage door yesterday.  Was so glad to see actual clouds and some blue sky peeking around them instead of the solid grey smoke-haze from Canada.  Those had to be some monstrous forest fires!
I was out in the garage yesterday afternoon because Lois from the bird rescue place came to pick up the cage, playpen, and aquarium.  They just got calls on a Military and an Amazon, too.  So that made me even happier to see them go.  And Lois remembered me from years ago when she came to take poor, miserable, nasty-tempered Gracie (cockatiel) if any of you have been around long enough to remember poor Gracie.  Anyways, this spot is now empty in the garage.
Then Dagan came by after work and hauled boxes and bags to the garage for me.  (You'll see why I couldn't lift anything anymore and couldn't even walk out there with him.)
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First of all, I took a couple days off completely (Fri-Sat) until I felt well enough to continue packing. 
Miss Karma...
...well, don't let her calm demeanor fool you.  There are new barf spots every other day and she is in need of much more cuddle time than this aloof roommate normally requires--LOL! 
Oh--do you think somebody may have celebrated the 4th a little too much?  Despite the crowded parking lot in the evenings nobody parked on either side of this car--and in the morning, as you can see, still no one near it--LOL! 
Sunday I started packing away the paper bookcase.  No purging to do there, so it went slick as can be into boxes.  Got all done except for the satchels at the bottom.  I didn't have any boxes in here large enough to hold any of my many satchels. 
Then I emptied the art wall shelf unit.  So much less colorful without all the paints and sprays lined up in there.  Really feels like I am moving now that the art and craft supplies are disappearing. 
I finally had to move the folding table into the bedroom to make room for more packed boxes. 
Karma had to investigate the empty art bookcase, of course.  That was taken with the flash... 
...because it was actually dusk.  I worked into the evening...
...with black coffee keeping me going (and many breaks).   
Yes, I remembered to take a picture of my red thermos cup this time for T Stand For Tuesday over at Elizabeth's.  
Hi, Ladies!! 
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The pile kept growing.  Many of the boxes were packed right on the spot over there because I knew they'd be heavy--but I did miscalculate a couple times.
I also went through and purged all my clothes and coats!  Half my wardrobe is now gone to the donation pile in the garage.  (I wasn't actually wearing half that wardrobe--so out it went.)
Finally, I had used every box I had inside here except for one really small one.  Dagan came over last night and made three trips to the garage with their huge cart--whoohoo! 
I'm surprised I got that much done--still dusty, but paper bookcase emptied and packed... 
...wall shelves and art bookshelves empty and packed.  Except for all the satchels, of course, but they just go in boxes as is. 
Next on my list is the craft bookcase.
Dagan brought me in a whole bunch of boxes from the garage that Caroline brought over for me when she went grocery shopping on the 3rd.  They just moved into their new house last month so she has a lot of boxes I can use.  Nice!  And I think I can say now...Caroline is expecting!!  So happy for her!!  :) 
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    So many changes this past year.  
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Mr. Ian has been sick again for a couple days-fever this time.  Leah had a touch of it, too.  If he's not better he might be going in to the doctor today.   Dagan will drop off some more packing tape for me in the next couple days before they are supposed to leave for Canada on Thursday.  I'll just keep packing in my little sessions.  
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I work for 20-30 minutes at a time (depending on the old bod) and then take a break for a good hour (or whatever I need) and repeat...till I can't do any more that day.  I am really proud of what I have been able to get done!  True--the sciatica has been behaving darn well (knock on wood) and that makes a huge difference as to how long I can stand and walk...and I bought up a freezer full of entrees I can nuke so that I don't have to cook...and, believe it or not, I am in waaaay better shape (exhaustion and pain-wise) than I was the last two times I moved.  Plus--I've had ten years of being able to self-regulate my activity and get used to having all these various cranky-body flare ups.  I know I have to stay calm and move slowly--even put on my new age instrumental music if I need to--because any body tension adds to the pain.  My body is the (vindictive) boss of me and I have learned to pay close attention to it.  ;)  If I have to take a couple days off...I just have to.    
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In two weeks--Monday the 20th--we will be getting ahold of Linda the moving lady and make arrangements for them to start coming over to start packing whatever is left to pack.  So I plan to do very little that week before I move.  Being able to have some recovery time before the actual move--priceless!  Three weeks from today folks!  :):)
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Well, my mom is doing better.  At least she sounds better, anyways, and I am getting her on the phone almost every day now.  I have not heard from my brother or sister since they arrived in Florida last Wednesday other than last week my sister texted me to tell me that Mom's roommate wanted to talk to me about fibro.  (I haven't yet, but plan to one of these times when I call mom and her roommate isn't busy with company or nurses.)  Renee did say this rehab place was a lot better (which I figured because they often take Mom twice a day for physical therapy and she is up several times sitting in her wheelchair every day).  I did tell Renee I wanted her to call me, but she hasn't.  Apparently my family is getting back to our normal.  Can never accuse us of being close--LOL!  I'm taking it as a positive sign that Mom is improving.  And I'd like to think that they know I am in worse shape with all the packing and they've decided to not bother me because of that or something more positive than they just never even think to call--LOL!  ;)
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Anyways, that's about it from Fargo.  Karma is relaxing in the sun on the porch.  It suddenly cooled way down yesterday (upper 60s) and I've been able to have the place opened up.  I love it!  Was down in the 40s last night, I believe.  Ahhh!  Supposed to be in the low to mid 70s for a couple of days and 50s at night.  Perfect weather!!  And we even have had sunshine again.  Good packing weather, eh?
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I'll be slogging my way through the mess of boxes and bags...will continue to discover spots that have dust bunnies the size of hippos...and that haven't known the touch of a human hand for years...LOL!  My home has to be dismantled before it can be reassembled, right?  When you move your life is gradually torn down to the bare dusty bones...everything you own looks like a cluster of chaos.  And then you haul it away to build a new nest.  ;)
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Have a scintillating week!  :):)
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"There is a hard truth to be told: before spring becomes beautiful, it is plug ugly, nothing but mud and muck. I have walked in the early spring through fields that will suck your boots off, a world so wet and woeful it makes you yearn for the return of ice. But in that muddy mess, the conditions for rebirth are being created."
Parker Palmer

22 comments:

Shady Del Knight said...

Hi, dear Rita! Hi Kitty Kat Karma! My goodness, you're doing an awful lot of purging and packing, aren't you? I'm sorry all the commotion causes Karma to barf occasionally. I can't wait for you both to get settled in your new place. I'm sorry to learn that little Ian is under the weather but happy to know your mother continues to sound better each time you speak to her. You say the temp in Fargo was in the upper 60s? In Florida it got that cold one January night in 1956. The governor declared a state of emergency! :)

Happy Tuesday, dear friend Rita!

Linda Kunsman said...

Looks like Karma is handling all these changes as well as can be expected. And you dear Rita sure are in go mode! I mean, I know you have to be, but isn't it amazing how something like a move, or someone moving back home(as in my case) can trigger lots of cleaning and purging? Glad to hear you are able to be in touch and that your Mom seems to be doing better. That is some cool weather you are having. Here we have been riddled with pop up storms because of the high heat and humidity levels. I'm not complaining though, esp. since we do have central air and I can come in and cool off whenever I wish:) Happy T day!

Intense Guy said...

Hugs. You are packing such great progress! You had so many things to pack - little items too - makes for a lot time being consumed.

Poor Karma - I hope she stops the barfing - that must get old and irritating pretty fast!

I'm glad to hear your mom is improving - sounds slow - but its going the right direction!

Halle said...

Gracie is a barfer too... drives me crazy. I think she's bulimic...she scarfs down her food then barfs it back up.
Dust bunnies the size of hippos...I can relate. Good luck with the move.
Happy T day!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Poor Karma. I know she looks content, but I also know cats don't like change for any reason. You got a LOT done, and I'm super impressed. It's good that you are probably doing more purging than I am. But, I DID get rid of a big, BIG box of clothes. I could get rid of more, too, but time has run out and I need to get these to my friend's garage sale. I think you are working faster than me. I keep saying it's the minutia that gets to you.

Thanks for sharing your week with us for T this Tuesday.

DJan said...

I love your parting quote, it's perfect! And you are definitely making headway, and I'm so glad to hear your mom is better. I have a family similar to yours, and I know just what you mean about getting back to "our" normal. Hope Ian is better soon. :-)

pearshapedcrafting said...

I too love that quote!! Well done for all you are achieving - clearing out clutter is such hard work without ailments hindering you too!! I don't know how you cope with such high temperatures, but then I am from northern England!!! Hope everything goes smoothly from now on!! Happy T Day! Chrisx

Viktoria Berg said...

Moving is stressful, and cats are so much more sensitive than we are, I think. Or maybe they are not as good at pushing it under the surface - perhaps we should learn from them and express our feelings a bit more. If we know we have them, that is.... My family is just like yours, they pull together in an emergency, but normal is pretty quiet and distant - everyone going about their business. Which is ok, I think. Different strokes and all that. Happy T-Day!

Anonymous said...

As long as it's Karma barfing & NOT you!!

Darla said...

You are doing great. I really like the quote, chaos before the new beginning. I still smile every time I read about your move. I know how you wanted it and I still feel so pleased that it happened for you.

Darla

Denise Price said...

Wow, you have done so much packing! Great job. I like the picture of Karma exploring the empty shelves.

Thanks for the info you let me know about the Mpls Central Library.

I'll think of you next time I'm driving thru Friendly Fridley. :)

ChicagoLady said...

I'm amazed at how much you are getting done! Surely the next three weeks will just fly by. It's so nice to hear how well your mother is doing! The really good rehab places do PT twice a day.

Zue said...

nearly there now....must be so exciting, though exhausting

xxx

Blogoratti said...

Looks like some good progress, great effort and keep at it will you. Best wishes!

GrandmaG said...

Three weeks! Yahoo! As you know, my house was in chaos for three months during the kitchen remodel and, again recently, when the new carpet was installed. What a mess! But the "silver lining" was how I was able to thoroughly clean and purge each time. Bliss! Congrats to Caroline! I'm betting she'll bring the baby around periodically. What a blessing to be around small humans without a care in the world :) Thinking of you often as you go through such a big change in your life. Take care.

jinxxxygirl said...

Look at all your progress woman!!!! Wow! Great job! I'm so glad to hear your mom is doing better. That must lift a weight from your shoulders.. :) Its been crazy rainy here... but i refuse to complain. Bring on the rain! After so many years of desert living , i'm lovin' it. Hugs! deb

Divers and Sundry said...

So glad your mom's improving. That'll help some with yor moving stress, though I doubt cats care ;)

Some people just can't park. Around here the car would have other cars parked next to it to highlight the person's lack of parking ability. Or maybe little notes stuck on the windshield admonishing them and suggesting special classes. We're helpful that way ;)

Carol said...

You are moving right along! Glad to hear that you took those 2 days of rest. ♥ Not to long and you'll be in your new home and loving it :)

Krisha said...

Slow and steady wins the race Rita...so pack when ya can and rest when ya need it! Your progress is really adding up and things are really looking bare.
Hope Ian is feeling better, poor little guy.
Thanks for the T-day visit and the comments

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Moving is such a big job all the packing and then the unpacking and have to say glad I haven't moved house since May 88 when we moved here and both Tim and myself like to joke that we will be leaving this place for nice coffin someday. Took a while but we are settled here and like most of the neighbours not that we are close to any of them only say hi in the driveway and have the odd chat with one or two of them

Far Side of Fifty said...

You are making progress! At this rate there won't be much left for the movers! Time is getting closer...you should pinch yourself...I am thrilled for you with this move out of that place! :)

Louisette said...

Lovely cat and fotos, greeting from Belgium.

http://louisette.eklablog.com